Editorial

A new era for TD, The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research
in Southern Africa

With this edition TD The
Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa celebrates its fifth
anniversary. We extend a special word of thanks to our authors, editorial
collaborators, and particularly to our readers for their support. It has been a
period of interesting encounters. Asking colleagues to evaluate material
submitted in a variety of fields – sometimes very distant from their own
specialised areas of research – was a new venture for many. Some reviewers
initially indicated that they were uncertain of the merits of this
‘transboundary thing’. Subsequently, many of them experienced a change of heart.
Others took the acceptance of transdisciplinarity in their stride. In the
evaluations we received there was a sense of surprise; astonishment in the
transformation taking place in the use and understanding of factual knowledge in
their respective fields of specialisation. It has been an adventure for many of
us. Hopefully the journey will continue to be one of intellectual exploration
and discovery.

A periodical publication is like a living organism. It takes
on unique personality traits, character and style that are representative of the
thinking of those working to realise the objective of bringing out yet another
edition. We like to think of TD as a vibrant medium of communication that is
able to transform itself into a conduit for understanding the thoughts and ideas
of scientists, educators and the broader spectrum of people in southern African
society at any given time.

In many articles submitted, the theoretical underpinnings of
transdisciplinarity were not a feature of discourse. Some mono-disciplinary
articles we received were considered worthwhile publishing after peer reviewers
advised us on the contribution and merits of the material. Although we will in
future still consider such articles, there will be an increasing shift towards
material that is either transdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary, or
interdisciplinary in nature. This requires of authors to indicate in the textual
discourse some aspects of transdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary research.
There should be a theoretical underpinning that explains why the material is
worthy of publication in TD. We must strive towards a broader discourse on
scientific practice; this is currently too subdued. We need to bring it to the
fore and become contemplative in the process of seeking answers to the
scientific questions we pose – especially in the fields of theory and
methodology.

We are open to suggestion on the publication of issues that
focus on specific themes. Colleagues who have plans for interesting projects
that can be organised as either a research initiative or a focused conference
event, are welcome to communicate with us. We would like to see if and how we
can assist in promoting interaction and the publication of current research.

We have been involved in discussions with researchers,
writers and educators to determine if TD should introduce regular sub-sections
that focus on research in certain fields of academic teaching. The objective is
to determine how interactive, in terms of research collaboration, these areas
have become. For example, one field that needs attention is the overall impact
of information communications technologies (ICT) in all fields of science.
Computers have become an integral part of our daily lives, not only as
scientists and researchers, but also as ordinary people living out our lives in
an ever-transforming society. Of particular

importance is that some of the older generation of academics
have tended to shun developments in information technology, or have failed to
keep pace with new strides made in this direction. Although this is not always
the product of their own doing, we should embark on a constructive search for
options to determine how the apparent divide between human-machine interactions
can be overcome.

There is also a need to integrate knowledge in the field of
education. Why is it that some of the remarkable contemporary scientific
discoveries are often overlooked by civil society? Could it be that important
information is not properly communicated? This is reminiscent of a defunct
culture associated with the ivory towers of the academe. In an interactive world
of communication technology there should be some remedies for this short circuit
in scientific knowledge dissemination. In southern Africa, a developing region
of the world, it is important to be aware of breakthroughs and innovations in
science. Although there are scientists and media practitioners in South Africa
who are actively propagating better linkages with society at large, this should
become an integral part of educators’ teaching objectives at the primary,
secondary and tertiary level. We have to communicate valuable information that
speaks of now and anticipates tomorrow. We would like to think that TD can serve
as a platform for education communication of this nature.

Writing science does not imply that it has to be written in a
manner that is incomprehensible to a broader readership. Indeed, most good
scientific material is written in a clear, unambiguous register. It has the
greatest impact when the average intelligent person in society can understand
it. The most gifted scientist is one who can state precisely in plain language
what needs to be understood.

Speaking of language, the editorial policy of TD makes
provision for authors to write in any of the 11 official languages of South
Africa. With the exception of less than five articles in Afrikaans, all
published material has been in English. We have not yet, for example, received a
single scientific article written in isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, or Setswana.
Publication of material that reflects the diversity of a regional society with a
rich cultural heritage, a field still under-explored in our regional scientific
writing, would justifiably make TD a proudly southern African publication.

In addition, we are open to publishing articles in
international languages that have a substantial scientific readership. Here we
think for example of Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Chinese, Swahili and
Arabic – languages also spoken in our region. If we are able to explore some of
these communications we may be able to promote linkages with experts in other
parts of the world. Given the possibility of using comprehensive summaries of
articles, the discourse in a ‘foreign’ language need not exclude the majority of
our readers. Instead it could pave the way for greater opportunities. For
example, in the southern hemisphere, we share much in common with our
continental neighbours in South America. Can we not use language as a vehicle to
communicate ideas that are of mutual interest to our regional partners?

Finally, as of the next issue of TD, scheduled for July 2010,
we will move into the digital era. Forthwith the journal will only be available
in electronic format. The high costs associated with printing hardcopy editions,
has forced us to move away from this valued medium of communication. We have a
feeling of nostalgia and a sense of loss with the passing of the paper printing
technology. On the brighter side, hopefully this change will inspire more
readers to resort to comfortably settling in with electronic publications as a
feature of an ever-transforming society.

As part of the curriculum for Community Based Rehabilitation,
final year students from the School of Audiology, Occupational Therapy
and Speech-Language Pathology are involved in service learning projects
in a semi rural ...

This paper examines the history of the first town engineers in
Johannesburg and Pretoria by looking at the selection process that was
applied in their appointment; their responsibilities; and the circumstances
at the ...

Complex ethical problems resulting from research and
advances in biotechnologies increasingly confront Christian ministers and
theologians with difficult and complex moral dilemmas. Where do they
turn to in order to ...

Large fluctuations in crude oil prices and the diminishing oil
supply have left economies vulnerable to energy shortages thus placing
an enormous pressure on nations around the world to seriously consider
alternative ...

When using indicator values to measure change over an interval
of time, the general understanding of the factor being analysed may have
been modified during the period under review. Altered definitions of
‘urban’, or ...

South Africa has experienced immense changes in the postapartheid
era and coordinated local public policy has sought to expand and
improve the level of basic services provided to previously disadvantaged
people. Local ...